In 2025, new European anti-pollution regulations come into force that will require around 20 or 25% of manufacturers’ sales to be 100% electric cars. Some, such as BMW or Renault, have already requested changes or delays in the application (as of August, electric vehicles account for around 13% of registrations in Europe), but Stellantis refuses any delay.
During the Paris Motor Show, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, pointed out that his group would meet its objectives and that any delay would mean falling even further behind other Chinese brands. And for this, plan cut production of cars with internal combustion engines from November 1 to meet their 2025 EU emissions targets instead of paying fines.
It was Jean-Philippe Imparato, since October 10 director of operations for the manufacturer’s European region (until that date CEO of Alfa Romeo) who said it, recalling that Stellantis will need to double its share of electric vehicles next year to 24% of total vehicle sales to meet the 2025 target. “If demand for electric vehicles remains at current levels, the only way to achieve the target and avoid fines will be to reduce the production of cars with electric motors. internal combustion,” said Imparato.
“My first task is align vehicle production sold in the first quarter of 2025” by the first week of November, he said. It takes approximately 60 days for a car to come off the production line until it is registered, regardless of whether the end customer is a private or commercial buyer, or a dealer.
We recall that the EU rules that will come into force on January 1 will set a general emissions target CO2 for the fleet of 95 g/km(in 2023 the average real emissions were 106.6 g/km, according to data from the European Environment Agency. Those who do not meet their individual objectives will face fines of €95 per gram of excess per vehicle. Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, estimated that manufacturers could face fines of 15 billion euros.
Is Leapmotor the solution?
Stellantis has an ace up its sleeve, Leapmotor, which has begun selling two electric vehicles in Europe… which will count towards the group’s emissions. If included, Stellantis EVs would be around 20%. To meet its emissions target, it will base its overall production budget on electric vehicle orders.
There are already production problems that have reduced deliveries. The Citroën C3 (and its electric version, the e-C3) has been delayed and a few weeks ago production was stopped at the Mirafiori factory in Turin, which builds the small electric vehicle Fiat 500e and two Maserati models, until November 1 due to weak demand… and production of the Fiat Panda in Italy was also stopped for several days a month. It adds to other problems, such as the 36% drop in sales in North America… which has caused profits to fall in the first semester and a search for a replacement for Carlos Tavares, whose contract ends at the beginning of 2026.
And what about Spain?
Imparato pointed out that there will be objectives adapted to each market, depending on the degree of penetration of the electric vehicle. In Spain or Italy, where the EV market is around 5%, they won’t have to sell 20% EVs next year, but those in the Netherlands might have to reach 50%.
The company will increase dealer incentives on electric vehicles, he said. “If they play the game, they will win a lot of money,” Imparato said, adding that the new incentive program will reward the entire distribution chain, from salespeople to zone managers.
